US7497273B2 - Plug and play utility control modules - Google Patents

Plug and play utility control modules Download PDF

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Publication number
US7497273B2
US7497273B2 US11/683,335 US68333507A US7497273B2 US 7497273 B2 US7497273 B2 US 7497273B2 US 68333507 A US68333507 A US 68333507A US 7497273 B2 US7497273 B2 US 7497273B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
shell
detection
switch
box
connector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US11/683,335
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English (en)
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US20080219029A1 (en
Inventor
Roland Schoettle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Optimal Innovations Inc
Original Assignee
Optimal Innovations Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Optimal Innovations Inc filed Critical Optimal Innovations Inc
Priority to US11/683,335 priority Critical patent/US7497273B2/en
Assigned to OPTIMAL LICENSING CORPORATION reassignment OPTIMAL LICENSING CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SCHOETTLE, ROLAND
Priority to CA002623091A priority patent/CA2623091A1/fr
Priority to AU2008200984A priority patent/AU2008200984A1/en
Priority to CNA2008100065509A priority patent/CN101282029A/zh
Priority to EP08250759A priority patent/EP1968163A2/fr
Priority to KR1020080021542A priority patent/KR20080082532A/ko
Priority to JP2008057956A priority patent/JP2008243813A/ja
Assigned to OPTIMAL INNOVATIONS INC. reassignment OPTIMAL INNOVATIONS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OPTIMAL LICENSING CORPORATION
Publication of US20080219029A1 publication Critical patent/US20080219029A1/en
Priority to US12/391,586 priority patent/US20090235515A1/en
Publication of US7497273B2 publication Critical patent/US7497273B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/73—Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
    • H02G3/02—Details
    • H02G3/08—Distribution boxes; Connection or junction boxes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to utility control devices and more particularly to such devices that are modular and used in a plug and play manner.
  • Utility control devices such as light switches, dimmers, sockets and the like, are in common use today in various environments, such as homes, offices and factories. While great advances have been made in materials and in the manufacture of these devices, the actual manner in which the devices are wired into circuits has not changed significantly over the years since their first introduction into construction. Thus, electrical power is distributed throughout a premises by running individual wires from a power source to a load with branches run to locations where switches are to be wired into the circuit. These switches, as is well-known, are used to control power to fixed lights, to power outlets (wall sockets) and to a myriad of other devices. Typically, in the United States, this wiring carries 110 Volts, 60 cycle AC and in some countries 220 Volts 50 cycle AC. The wiring terminates in a metal or polymer box (utility box) and then a switch or other device is manually connected to the wires in the utility box. The electrical device is then fastened into the utility box and a face plate covers the device and covers any exposed wiring.
  • the plate serves the function of making the device less obtrusive to a decorated room as well as serving to keep fingers out of harms way, i.e., avoiding electrocution.
  • the electrocution issue, along with fire hazard issues also arise when a person desires to change a switch, either because an existing device fails, or because it is desired to place another type of device in its place.
  • a utility control device such as a light socket, a switch or a plug socket
  • a utility box box socket
  • a “shell” is inserted into a common utility box. The shell would then be wired to the building wiring on the “back-side” of the shell and when the shell is installed within the utility box the wiring is sandwiched inside the box and behind the shell and therefore not easily seen.
  • a standard socket is positioned within the shell and provides a quick no-wiring required connection to the mating terminals on the actual device, for example a light-switch, or plug, or thermostat, or any other device normally installed and wired as a permanent fixture.
  • the grid is constructed exactly as it has always been with each box pre-established for a particular type of control but with a plug/play adapter.
  • the grid is universally wired and each device instructs the system as to its type and as to its intended use. In operation, such a universal plan would allow a device, for example, to “announce” what light, or set of lights, it will control.
  • the system can handle power wiring as well as control wring.
  • FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an illustrative plug ad play utility box mounted to a construction stud
  • FIG. 2 illustrates one example of the use of plug and play utility boxes in a premises environment
  • FIGS. 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 show embodiments of schematics illustrating the plug and play nature of the wiring connections among permanently mounted utility boxes.
  • FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a system having universal control.
  • FIG. 1 shows one embodiment 10 of an illustrative plug and play system using shell 11 inserted into a utility box, such as box 100 .
  • a utility box such as box 100 .
  • each box 100 would have a depth d no greater than (and presumably slightly less than) width w of the stud to which it is attached.
  • the utility boxes can be constructed from any material, such as for example, metal or plastic. Such boxes would typically be mass-produced and sold in bulk.
  • Shell 11 would have a depth less than “d” so as to form area 130 behind shell 11 and in front of back 103 of box 100 .
  • the wiring, such as wiring 14 and 15 , that interconnects the boxes can be individual wires or preformed cables which are plugged into connector 12 or, when the shell is used, connected to connector(s) 12 ( 120 ) within space 130 .
  • This wiring typically would be added by an electrician after the box is fastened to a particular structural member with the utility wires entering the rear of box 100 and held in place, for example, by clamps 131 .
  • shell 11 When shell 11 is mated and secured within box 100 this wiring is hidden from view and away from fingers and tools.
  • Shell 11 can be secured within box 11 in any well known manner, such as, for example, snaps, clips, screws, force fit and the like.
  • One or more connectors 12 - 120 are positioned within shell 11 (or directly within box 100 when the shell is not used) such that contacts 13 of each such connector are open into area 102 of shell 11 . This then allows a control device (not shown in FIG. 1 ) to become mated, both electrically and physically, within box 100 . Slots 101 of box 100 serve, if desired, to hold the mated control device within the utility box by mating with tabs on an inserted control device.
  • Connector 12 can be designed to snap in and out of shell 11 (or housing 100 ) which also serves to facilitate wiring to the connector. Note that while the connector is shown on the back wall of the shell, one or more connectors can be placed on any interior surface of the box and any surface of the shell, if desired.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the use of plug and play shell 11 - 1 shown without utility box 100 - 1 for simplicity.
  • the utility box(es) would be mounted in a premises environment together with a control device, such as switch 300 about to be mated into shell 11 - 1 .
  • a ceiling fixture having shell 11 - 2 with light socket 301 mated therewith.
  • Light 302 is about to be screwed into socket 301 .
  • Device 300 is a switch (in this case a single-pole single-throw switch) contained within housing 21 .
  • Housing 21 (as is housing 301 ) has a physical design such that it fits within open area 102 of shell 11 - 1 (or within shell 11 - 2 ).
  • the rear surface of housing 21 contains connector 22 having contacts 23 adapted for mating both physically and electrically with connector 12 .
  • Connector 22 is rigidly mounted to the rear surface of housing 21 as is connector 230 (if present).
  • housing 21 is covered by, for example, face plate 201 .
  • Tabs 202 mate with slots 101 and are used to hold housing 21 firmly in position with respect to shell 11 - 1 .
  • the utility box can be designed to allow housing 22 to mate with it so that shell 11 need not be sturdy enough to hold the housing. This also allows the shell to be optimal, perhaps being used as in a retro fit situation.
  • Shell 11 can be made of any material and typically would be of a plastic non-conductive material.
  • FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a schematic, such as schematic 30 , illustrating the plug and play nature of the wiring connections among shells 11 - 1 , 11 - 2 , 11 - 3 mounted within utility boxes.
  • Terminals W, B, S 1 , S 2 , and S 3 are connected to wiring 14 and optionally 15 as shown.
  • all the similarly lettered terminals are electrically common.
  • the W terminal is connected to the white wire of the power grid while the B terminal is connected to the black wire of the grid.
  • a 110V AC grid is assumed, but any power grid can be used.
  • Switch 300 is shown connected to contacts 23 - 1 and 23 - 2 of connector 22 (shown in FIG. 2 ) such that when switch 300 is mated with connector 12 ( FIG. 2 ) of a junction box, such as shell 11 - 1 , terminal 23 - 1 is electrically connected to terminal B of connector 12 while terminal 23 - 2 is electrically connected to terminal S 1 of connector 12 .
  • Lamp 302 (or more precisely, device 301 , FIG. 2 into which lamp 302 can be mounted) has its terminal 23 - 3 connected to terminal W of connector 12 in shell 11 - 2 while terminal 23 - 4 is connected to terminal S 3 .
  • bridge connector 320 is used (it desired) to cross-connect terminal S 3 to terminal S 1 .
  • the same electrical effect could be achieved by connecting terminal 23 - 4 directly to terminal S 1 .
  • to do so would require wiring changes to cable 14 by a user that may not be desired.
  • bridge 320 is shown, the respective connections can be changed by slipping pins into various locations within the base of connector 22 of device 301 so as to effect the desired cross-connect arrangement.
  • switch 300 In operation, when a user operates switch 300 , electrical current flows from the black wire of the power grid (terminal B shell 11 - 1 ) through switch 300 and via terminal S 1 of shell 11 - 1 to terminal S 1 of shell- 2 through cross connect bridge 320 to terminal S 3 of shell 11 - 2 to device 301 .
  • the other side of device 301 is connected to the white wire of the power grid via terminal W of shell 11 - 2 . This causes lamp 302 to go on and off following the switch operation of switch 300 .
  • FIG. 4 shows the situation where it is desired to convert the switch operation of lamp 302 into a so called three-way circuit such that lamp 302 can be turned on or off from two different locations.
  • the conversion starts with the removal of plug and play device 301 from shell 11 - 2 .
  • Cross-connect bridge 320 is then removed which essentially removes the jumper between terminals S 1 and S 3 . This can be done by moving pins (either on the bridge or on the device) or simply by cutting the bridge jumper on bridge 320 , or by not using a bridge at all.
  • a three-way switch device such as device 400 - 2 , is plugged into shell 11 - 3 .
  • Device 400 - 2 is wired so that terminal 23 - 1 connects to terminal B.
  • bridge 402 blocks the connection to terminal B and instead connects terminal 23 - 1 to terminal S 3 .
  • This connection as discussed above, can be made directly at the switch if desired without using the bridge. In such a situation, terminal 23 - 1 would be connected to terminal S 3 .
  • Switch 300 is removed from shell 11 - 1 and replaced by three-way switch 400 - 1 which is wired as shown. This conversion then has the effect of allowing lamp 302 to be operated on or off from either switch 400 - 1 or 400 - 2 using the plug/play concepts described herein. Note that this conversion of functional operation occurred without the need for touching main wiring 14 or 15 and thus would not normally require the use of an electrician.
  • FIG. 5 shows how shell 11 - 3 can be converted from a switch to an outlet. This is accomplished by removing the switch simply by pulling the switch out of shell 11 - 3 and inserting in its place outlet 501 which is pre-wired such that the outlet connects to the black and white wires (B & W terminals) of shell 11 - 3 via terminals 23 - 3 and 23 - 2 .
  • FIG. 6 shows the situation where device 501 becomes a switched outlet simply by inserting bridge 620 between outlet 501 and the connector of shell 11 - 3 .
  • switch 300 controls the on-off state of outlet 501 , in a plug and play manner all without any changes to the power wiring of the premises.
  • any number of different functions can be interchanged, such as, outlet socket, light socket, dimmer, motion detection switch, light-intensity detection switch, touch screen controller, telephone, alarm controller, etc.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates system 70 having universal control such that processor/communicator 71 - 1 associated with connector 230 - 1 in box 700 - 1 sends messages to one or more other processors, such as processor/communicator 71 -N in box 700 -N, to inform the system as to what type of device is plugged into box 700 - 1 .
  • Processor/communicator 71 -N can be a control processor that then sends control signals to other devices, or processor/communicator 71 -N can be a processor in each device for self control of the associated device.
  • the electrical signals among processors can be any type of signals, including wireless signals and light signals, but advantageously, these signals would be transmitted on one of the wires (such as the power line) interconnecting the boxes or, as shown, the signals can be transmitted on a set of control lines.
  • the signals can be general broadcast signals or can be coded for transmission reception by one or more selected (by address, location, etc.) other devices.
  • optics can be used and thus the terms electrical and wiring include optics and optical cables.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
US11/683,335 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Plug and play utility control modules Expired - Fee Related US7497273B2 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/683,335 US7497273B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Plug and play utility control modules
CA002623091A CA2623091A1 (fr) 2007-03-07 2008-02-27 Modules de commande d'utilitaires prets a l'emploi
AU2008200984A AU2008200984A1 (en) 2007-03-07 2008-02-29 Plug and play utility control modules
CNA2008100065509A CN101282029A (zh) 2007-03-07 2008-03-06 即插即用的公用设施控制模块
EP08250759A EP1968163A2 (fr) 2007-03-07 2008-03-06 Modules de contrôle d'utilité PnP
JP2008057956A JP2008243813A (ja) 2007-03-07 2008-03-07 プラグアンドプレイユーティリティ制御モジュール
KR1020080021542A KR20080082532A (ko) 2007-03-07 2008-03-07 플러그 앤 플레이 유틸리티 제어 모듈들
US12/391,586 US20090235515A1 (en) 2007-03-07 2009-02-24 Plug and Play Utility Control Modules

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/683,335 US7497273B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Plug and play utility control modules

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/391,586 Continuation US20090235515A1 (en) 2007-03-07 2009-02-24 Plug and Play Utility Control Modules

Publications (2)

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US20080219029A1 US20080219029A1 (en) 2008-09-11
US7497273B2 true US7497273B2 (en) 2009-03-03

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US11/683,335 Expired - Fee Related US7497273B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2007-03-07 Plug and play utility control modules
US12/391,586 Abandoned US20090235515A1 (en) 2007-03-07 2009-02-24 Plug and Play Utility Control Modules

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/391,586 Abandoned US20090235515A1 (en) 2007-03-07 2009-02-24 Plug and Play Utility Control Modules

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US (2) US7497273B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP1968163A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2008243813A (fr)
KR (1) KR20080082532A (fr)
CN (1) CN101282029A (fr)
AU (1) AU2008200984A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2623091A1 (fr)

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US8575484B1 (en) 2010-09-14 2013-11-05 Cooper Technologies Company Adjustable-depth ring assembly and method of installation
US20150222105A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2015-08-06 J Moss Ganged electrical fittings with integral cover plate and method of use thereof
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US9564725B1 (en) 2015-08-31 2017-02-07 J Moss Pluggable electrical receptacle and universal wall box and methods of use thereof
US9652014B2 (en) 2012-03-12 2017-05-16 Norman R. Byrne Electrical energy management and monitoring system, and method
US10411420B2 (en) 2015-04-30 2019-09-10 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Universal electrical installation system
US10541557B2 (en) 2016-10-07 2020-01-21 Norman R. Byrne Electrical power cord with intelligent switching
US10637223B2 (en) 2017-06-06 2020-04-28 Roger Fulton NEWILL Wiring apparatus
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CN103594985A (zh) * 2013-11-13 2014-02-19 常熟市宝华建筑装璜材料有限公司 带温度监控器的接线盒
US9219358B2 (en) * 2014-03-26 2015-12-22 Elbex Video Ltd. Intelligent support box for electric hybrid switches, power outlets and combinations thereof
JP6478373B2 (ja) * 2014-06-19 2019-03-06 株式会社オカムラ 椅子
US11615625B2 (en) 2015-08-31 2023-03-28 Deako, Inc. User-upgradeable load control network
WO2017040729A1 (fr) * 2015-08-31 2017-03-09 Deako, Inc. Système de contrôle d'attributs d'espaces de vie
CN105305237B (zh) * 2015-11-19 2017-09-05 深圳市泰昂能源科技股份有限公司 变电站馈线柜及前维护馈线采集指示装置
US10050393B1 (en) * 2017-05-25 2018-08-14 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Modular socket box
KR101994352B1 (ko) * 2017-08-23 2019-09-25 한국생산기술연구원 농업용 차량에 연결되는 동력인출장치의 제어방법
CN109986318B (zh) * 2017-12-29 2024-09-10 中国核动力研究设计院 一种超高压超临界二氧化碳流载干冰切割装置及方法
CN111355053B (zh) * 2018-12-20 2025-03-11 夏敬懿 具有限制单向运动功能的导电钩爪
CN109950445B (zh) * 2019-03-28 2021-11-23 珠海博杰电子股份有限公司 电池盒装配方法
CN112310758A (zh) * 2019-07-24 2021-02-02 深圳市云海物联科技有限公司 具有夜光功能的插座
CN111917043B (zh) * 2020-06-23 2022-05-31 祥兴电气有限公司 一种抽屉式电容补偿柜
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EP1968163A2 (fr) 2008-09-10
CA2623091A1 (fr) 2008-09-07
CN101282029A (zh) 2008-10-08
KR20080082532A (ko) 2008-09-11
JP2008243813A (ja) 2008-10-09
US20080219029A1 (en) 2008-09-11
US20090235515A1 (en) 2009-09-24

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